Baldassare Galuppi may have been very highly regarded and considered a leading composer of Venetian opera in his day, but sadly shortly after his death he became practically forgotten and even today his music and operas are rarely performed.
A shame, because, while demanding music (performing and singing a Galuppi opera really does mean that one needs a good cast to pull it off) his music is well worth hearing. 'L'Olimpiade' is a very good example of why, it's another one of those rare operas come my way recently that is deserving of more exposure than just historical interest. The third act's intensity is not quite as much as the first two, but the story is emotionally complex in a way that's both gripping and emotional (providing that one is familiar with the form and structure the music is written in) and the music is sublime, never less than lovely.
Similarly, this production of 'L'Olimpiade' is a treasure. One where pretty much everything works, with the only small faults, which are more a subjective nit-pick rather than objective flaw, being some occasionally stiff acting from Roberta Invernizzi as Argene and Mark Tucker's over-parted rendition of Clistene's Da Capo aria (which saw Tucker struggle with the runs and not quite keeping up with the tempo).
Visually, the production is very pleasing on the eye. There's nothing complex here and things are kept very simple from costumes, sets and lighting, but in a way where it works in the production's favour rather than being static or monotone. The quality of the DVD all round is excellent.
This 'L'Olimpiade' is also very well staged, there are many emotions in the drama brought out in the libretto and music in a complex way, all of which the staging pull off. Like the production values, it is kept simple, instead of resorting to gratuitous distaste or potentially obstacle stage effects, and throughout is incredibly tasteful as well as intense and moving in a way that's poised and understated.
Musically, things don't get much better than this. The orchestra don't sound too weighty or anaemic, instead they are just right with just the right size and textures, having the robust energy but also the pathos. It's all alertly and sympathetically conducted, keeping the drama alive while being sympathetic to the needs of the performers.
All the performances are top-drawer, the one small reservations being with Tucker and occasional stiffness from Roberta Invernizzi. Her performance is very fiery and poignant otherwise however and her intense but beautiful singing cannot be faulted. Romina Basso is vocally impeccable, with acute style and remarkably good intonation, and brings out every complexity and nuance of the character (Megacle) tormented between two loyalties.
Ruth Rosique is every bit as exquisite. Their end of Act 1 duet together will bring a tear to the eye in how truly ravishing it is, both the music itself and the performance. Franziska Gottwald is a suitably infatuated and foolish, certainly convincing in terms of look as a boy, and sings very well.
Despite his rendition of his opening aria disappointing, Tucker is otherwise nobly affecting as Clistene. Furio Zanasi sings beautifully and his phrasing is impeccable, on top of that his acting is more consistently engaging than it was in his DVD of 'L'Orfeo'. Fillipo Adami is wholly competent too, singing with a nice pure ring and his stage craft is not too stolid.
Overall, a treasure. 9/10 Bethany Cox
